Connect with us

Pennsylvania

Pa. to ban cell phone use while driving and require police to collect traffic stop data

Published

2 years ago

on

Pa. to ban cell phone use while driving and require police to collect traffic stop data


Crashes where a distracted driver was a contributing factor are down in Pennsylvania in the past decade, as crashes overall have declined, according to state data.

In some years, it was the second-leading cause of accidents. In 2022, it was the third-leading cause. That was behind speed and improper turning, but ahead of drinking alcohol, careless passing and tailgating.

Twenty-eight states already ban cell phone use while driving, according information from the National Conference of State Legislatures.

Meanwhile, at least 23 states have laws on collecting data on traffic stops, the group said.

Advertisement

Rep. Napoleon Nelson, D-Montgomery, the chair of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus, said caucus members were concerned that police could abuse a broad new power to pull over motorists and target racial minorities.

Collecting traffic stop data is important for accountability, Nelson said.

“I think this will be a significant win for transparency and help to continue building trust between community members and those who are sworn to serve and protect,” Nelson said in an interview.

Rep. Donna Bullock, D-Philadelphia, who worked for several years to get the provision into law, called it a “big step for Pennsylvania.” The Pennsylvania State Police recently began voluntarily collecting and reporting traffic stop data and some municipal police departments do as well, Bullock said.

But the methods of individual departments aren’t uniform, like they will be under the new law, Bullock said.

Advertisement

Data released last year by the state police and analyzed by the National Policing Institute showed no disparities between racial and ethnic groups for warnings, citations or arrests. But troopers were more than twice more likely to search Black and Hispanic drivers than white drivers, the report showed.

Under the forthcoming law, data that police must report includes the reason for the stop, details from a search of the vehicle and the race, ethnicity, age and gender of the driver who was stopped. Police forces that serve municipalities under 5,000 people are exempt from the requirement.

The data collection requirement takes effect in a year and a half. After the cell phone ban takes effect, drivers get a grace period of another year in which they only receive a written warning for violating it.



Source link

Advertisement
Related Topics:
Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania House passes bill that would raise minimum wage over several years

Published

10 hours ago

on

March 24, 2026

By

Pennsylvania House passes bill that would raise minimum wage over several years


HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHP) — The Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed a bill Tuesday that would raise the minimum wage statewide.

The bill would raise Pennsylvania’s minimum wage from $7.25 per hour to $11 per hour starting Jan. 1, 2027. The minimum wage would then increase to $13 per hour in 2028 and finally $15 per hour in 2029.

Representatives voted 104-95 to pass House Bill 2189, which is sponsored by Rep. Jason Dawkins, the House Democratic Communications Office announced Tuesday.

If the bill passes, counties would have the option to implement the $15 per hour minimum wage sooner than 2029. The bill would also set the minimum wage for tipped employees at 60% of the statewide minimum wage.

Advertisement

Pennsylvania’s minimum wage was last raised in 2009 when the federal minimum wage was increased to $7.25, House Democrats wrote in a press release.

The bill now moves to the state Senate for consideration.

Comment with Bubbles

BE THE FIRST TO COMMENT

“Research shows that increasing the minimum wage does not lead to job losses or business closures,” Dawkins said. “What it does lead to is financial security and better life outcomes for families relying on minimum wage work. To my colleagues in the Senate, I implore you to take up this bill and finally raise the wage in Pennsylvania.”

Advertisement



Source link

Continue Reading

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania lawmaker’s remove one, plant one bill to preserve state foliage advances

Published

22 hours ago

on

March 24, 2026

By

Pennsylvania lawmaker’s remove one, plant one bill to preserve state foliage advances


HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHP) — In an attempt to protect and preserve a healthy tree canopy for communities across the Commonwealth, a Pennsylvania lawmaker is taking action.

Rep. Abigail Salisbury (D-Allegheny) previously introduced House Bill 2161, which would require utility companies to plant a new tree for each one they cut down within two years of cutting it down.

“I introduced this bill after residents and environmental advocates in our district expressed concerns that trees were being removed entirely, instead of simply being pruned or trimmed,” Salisbury said. “Maintaining a healthy tree canopy is essential for communities because it reduces stormwater runoff and air pollution, provides shade that lowers energy costs, raises property values, and increases pedestrian traffic for local businesses, among other benefits.

On Monday, the Environmental and Natural Resource Protection Committee voted to advance the bill to the House for consideration, according to legislative records.

Advertisement

“Monday’s committee action moved us a step closer to making sure those benefits continue,” Salisbury added.

Electric utilities would be required to plant a new one in a location that the municipality chooses.

She said her bill would align with existing regulations that require damage caused by utility work to be repaired, primarily work that would require excavation or other projects that break into streets and sidewalks.



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Pennsylvania

Gas prices continue climb across Pennsylvania as averages near $4 per gallon

Published

1 day ago

on

March 23, 2026

By

Gas prices continue climb across Pennsylvania as averages near per gallon


HARRISBURG, DAUPHIN CO. (WOLF) — Gas prices across Pennsylvania are nearing $4 per gallon, reaching their highest point in several years.

As of March 23, the statewide average stands at about $3.94 per gallon, according to AAA.

Analysts say current prices are now at their highest level since late 2023, with national averages also approaching levels last seen during the 2022–2023 surge.

The last time prices were significantly higher in Pennsylvania was in June 2022, when the average peaked at around $5.07 per gallon, the highest on record.

Advertisement

The increase marks the 24th consecutive day of rising gas prices across the Commonwealth.

The national average has also climbed, reaching approximately $3.96 per gallon, as global energy markets remain volatile.

Diesel prices have surged even more sharply. AAA reports the Pennsylvania average is now about $5.67 per gallon, reflecting significant increases tied to global supply concerns.

Analysts point to ongoing tensions in the Middle East and disruptions to key shipping routes as major factors driving prices higher. Oil prices have climbed above $90 per barrel, adding pressure across all fuel types.

Across the country, California continues to have the highest gas prices, while states in the Midwest remain among the lowest. Current prices are now the highest seen since late 2023.

Advertisement

Pennsylvania Gas Price Trend

Prices have steadily climbed since late February:

  • Feb. 27 — about $3.10 per gallon
  • Feb. 28 — above $3.15
  • March 1 — surpassed $3.20
  • March 2 — near $3.24
  • March 3 — about $3.28
  • March 4 — above $3.30
  • March 5 — around $3.35
  • March 6 — high $3.30s, some above $3.40
  • March 7 — about $3.45
  • March 8 — about $3.50
  • March 9 — near $3.55
  • March 10 — around $3.60
  • March 11 — about $3.65
  • March 12 — about $3.66
  • March 13 — around $3.67
  • March 14 — about $3.69
  • March 15 — about $3.70
  • March 16 — about $3.72
  • March 17 — about $3.74
  • March 18 — about $3.80
  • March 19 — about $3.81
  • March 20 — about $3.82
  • March 21 — about $3.85
  • March 22 — about $3.93
  • March 23 — about $3.94

Gas Prices in Nearby States

Drivers in Pennsylvania continue to pay slightly more than those in surrounding states, though prices are rising across the region:

  • New Jersey: about $3.88 per gallon
  • New York: about $3.90 per gallon
  • Ohio: about $3.74 per gallon
  • Delaware: about $3.70 per gallon

Northeast Pennsylvania Prices

Northeast Pennsylvania remains among the most expensive regions in the state, with many stations now charging between $3.90 and $4.10 per gallon, especially along major roadways and in metro areas.

Lowest Gas Prices in Pennsylvania

Prices still vary widely by region, with the lowest prices remaining in western Pennsylvania:

  • $3.15/gallon — Valero, Dixonville (Indiana County)
  • $3.17/gallon — Sunoco, Aliquippa (Beaver County)
  • $3.18/gallon — 7-Eleven, Pittsburgh area
  • $3.20/gallon — Citgo, Smock (Fayette County)

Cheapest Gas in Northeast and Central PA

Scranton / Lackawanna County:

  • Conoco — Clarks Summit — about $3.70/gallon
  • Dileo’s — Wyoming — about $3.71/gallon
  • Fuel Up — Wyoming — about $3.71/gallon
  • Kwik Fill — Nicholson — about $3.71/gallon

Wilkes-Barre / Luzerne County:

  • Best — Wilkes-Barre — about $3.72/gallon
  • US Gas — Kingston — about $3.75/gallon

Hazleton area:

  • Fuel On — Hazleton — about $3.78/gallon
  • 7-Eleven — Hazleton — about $3.78/gallon

Schuylkill County:

  • Turkey Hill — Shenandoah — about $3.45/gallon
  • Pilot/Conoco — Pine Grove — about $3.48/gallon
  • Pereira’s — Tamaqua — about $3.52/gallon

Monroe County:

  • BrightStar Fuel — Brodheadsville — about $3.80/gallon
  • Gulf — Brodheadsville — about $3.80/gallon
  • Wawa — East Stroudsburg — about $3.85/gallon

Lycoming County:

  • Sam’s Club — Muncy — about $3.10/gallon
  • Exxon — Williamsport — about $3.12/gallon



Source link

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending